Transparent brooder



Jan. 3, 1950 w, M, MCCASKELL v 2,493,589

TRANSPARENT BROODER Filed April 2l, 1945 I n vel/tor a Attorneys Patented Jan. 3, 1950 UNITED `PAT ENT ottici-1 TanNsrARENT BRoopER William Moore McG'askell, Kilgore, Tex.

ApplicationAprl ;21, 1945, Serial No. 589,594

(Cl. 21e- 35) l Claim- 1 Thisinvention relates to atransparentbroodr,

and more particularly to suchabrooder. adapted for the raising, through the early stages, of poultry, such as chicka'ducklings, etc.

A primary object of thisinvention is the pro,.- visionof an improved brooder .characterized r`particularly by a substantially complete transparency in order that the actions of the chicks or other poultry therein may be readily observed at all times.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that while the temperature within a brooder or the like may be maintained substantially constant by thermostatic means, the best indication as to whether or not the temperature is suitable is the actual behavior of the chicks themselves. For example, if the chicks huddle closely together, obviously the temperature in the brooder is too low, while, conversely, if they avoid the outlets from the heater elements of the brooder and tend to stay as far away from the heating elements as possible, the temperature in the brooder is too high. It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved transparent brooder so designed and arranged that the behavior of the chicks may be observed at all times, and the temperature correspondingly controlled in order to provide maximum comfort, and maximum eiciency within the brooder.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of such a brooder provided with transparent walls, of glass or similar material, double spaced, in order to prevent loss of heat through radiation therefrom.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of brooder embodying features of the instant inventive concept, and

Figure 2 is a side view partially in section and partially in elevation, certain concealed portions thereof being indicated by dotted lines.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings, the brooder of the instant invention, generally indicated at I0, is comprised of a base, generally indicated at II, supported in any suitable manner,

.asby legs L2.. .Extending upwardlyffrgm bliebe@ Il are av plurality of S.lllportingand.reinforcing members I3. terminating'. in a. pyramidalshapeil cap I4, the whole assemblybeing, substantiallyin the form of a pyram d'- .Betweentlie ,lwerinrr tio-r1 of the can landtinwardly turuedwflelge positioned .auoutthe baepertiegeree 1911.1.12a1ia/ of double Walls comprised of a pair of parallel transparent sheets I6 and I'I, comprising inner and outer walls, respectively, and comprised of glass, lucite, Plexiglas, isinglass, or any other desired transparent substance. These sheets are mounted in any known manner and since this construction forms in itself no part of this invention, further illustration and explanation is deemed to be unnecessary.

The space between the walls I6 and I'I may be evacuated, lf desired, in order to provide an insulating surface to preclude loss of heat from the interior of the brooder. As best shown in Figure 2, the entire assembly, comprised of the flanges I5, the supporting members I 3, and their doublewalled glass sides, may be readily lifted and removed from the base II, the arrangement being such that the pyramidal assembly merely rests on the base, to permit access thereto for insertion or removal of the chicks, or feed or water therefor, as may be desired.

In the pyramidal cap portion I4 is positioned a heating element I8, supplied with current, as by `Wires I9 extending exteriorly of the cap, which serves to radiate heat downwardly within the brooder.

Referring back now to the base II, it will be seen that the same is comprised of an upper portion 20, and a lower portion 2|, between which portions is positioned an electric heating element 22, supplied with current as by wires 23. Inclined planes 24 lead from the heating elements 22 to ducts or louvers 25, from which heated air is emitted into the brooder as desired.

Any desired Ventilating means may be provided. Although the following does not form part of the invention, and is given purely by way of illustrating a satisfactory Ventilating arrangement, fresh air might be introduced from the outside in any suitable manner to the space between members 20, ZI and from thence, by the means 25, into the brood chamber. Egress for the vitiated air may be had as by openings, not shown, in the cap I4.

A thermometer of any desired type 21 is adapted to be positioned or suspended within the brooder in order to indicate exactly the temperature therein, and a conventional thermostatic control 28 of any suitable type may be utilized for controlling the actuation of the heating elements 22 and I8, as desired.

From the foregoing, it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved transparent brooder, so constructed and arranged that the chicks or other poultry contained therein will be readily visible at all times, which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A poultry brooder comprising a base and a pyramidal casing thereon, a heating element in the apex of said casing for directly heating the interior thereof, said base including' spaced upper and lower horizontal surfaces, a second heating element between said surfaces, apertures in said upper surface adjacent the edges thereof, and inclined Surfaces extending from lower side of said upper surface downwardly and terminating adjacent said second heating element, including a thermostatic control for regulating both of said REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 890,081 Moore June 9, 1908 931,142 Perkins et al Aug. 17, 1909 1,373,037 Wagner Mar, 29, 1921 1,513,154 Byce Oct, 28, 1924 1,740,277 Czilagyi Dec- 17, 1929 1,800,278 Bourke Apr. 14, 1931 1,876,325 Crawford Sept. 6, 1932 2,025,515 Jones Dec. 24, 1935 2,235,680 DeHaven et al Mar. 18, 1941 2,334,056 Anderson Nov. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 445,389 England Apr. 8, 1936l 

